SATURDAY

Five things to do in the world of culture this week

EARLY every morning Tracy Piggott climbs onto her horse and rides out across the flat, lush plains of Co Kildare.

ONE of comedy trio Foil, Arms and Hog’s weekly YouTube sketches features a Skype job interview gone wrong, writes Ellie O’Byrne. 

In the real world Steve Cavanagh is a Belfast lawyer who explained to Declan Burke how an exceptional advocate can convince a jury black is actually white.

Glam rock star was an ‘habitual sexual predator’ and could face further charges

“Habitual sexual predator” Gary Glitter could face further charges after he was convicted of sexually abusing three young girls.

Singer Gary Glitter plied a young fan with champagne, and autographed her gold jacket backstage before inviting her into a hotel room and having sex with her, a UK court has heard.

A spoiler-free guide to telly.

Ray D'arcy returns with the series School Around the Corner on RTE One at 6.30pm tonight.

Eric Sykes, one of the most popular comic actors of his generation, was still staring in the West End shows into his 80s, even though he became almost totally deaf and nearly blind.

British comedy legend Eric Sykes has died at the age of 89.

Bee Gee Barry Gibb paid an emotional tribute to his brother Robin’s “magnificent mind and his beautiful heart” at his funeral — saying he had finally been reunited with his twin.

Goon Show creator and comedian Spike Milligan’s infamous epitaph, “I told you I was ill”, has been named as the best parting line.

SATURDAY

This week’s new releases

'Appropriate Adult' stars Dominic West and Emily Watson have each carried off a Royal Television Society award for their performances in the drama about the killer Fred West.

SPIKE MILLIGAN, who died ten years ago today, is best remembered for his work as the main writer of the hit radio comedy series, The Goon Show, for his quick wit, and for his appearance at the 1994 British Comedy Awards, where he infamously called Prince Charles “the little grovelling bastard” during his acceptance of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The showbusiness world was today celebrating the life of comic “legend” Frank Carson following his death at the age of 85.

Belfast-born Frank Carson died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Dara Ó Briain’s Irish wit is loved in England where he is a big hit as a TV host, but stand-up is his first love, writes Carl Dixon

My Ireland Counting Book by Eoin Ryan (O’Brien €7.99) is an interesting way of introducing numbers to the very young.

ON observing the results of an opinion poll, Spike Milligan once remarked: “One day, the don’t knows will get in, and then where will we be?”

Name the things you can’t live without?

Viewers will choose the UK's favourite comedian at tonight’s British Comedy Awards.

SO how was it for you? Good, bad or indifferent? It can’t have been that bad, I guess: you’re reading this so that means you got through to the end. What am I banging on about? The first decade of the 21st century, of course. It’s hard to believe it’s in its dying days: I can still remember the hangover from what we learned to call “millennium night”. But time speeds up as we get older, I’m finding.

Peter Kay has been voted the UK’s best comedian – while Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand are among the least popular.

IT WAS going, going, Goon yesterday as the auctioneer’s hammer fell on Spike Milligan’s personal possessions, raising tens of thousands of pounds.

The father of a man who died after suffering serious injuries while partying at the home of British TV presenter Michael Barrymore today said the entertainer had "no hope" of resurrecting his career.

The genius behind some of the best loved British comedy of the past four decades, will be guest speaker at this year’s annual Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd (TCH) dinner.

Vic Reeves is hoping to become a literary heavyweight with a new collection of short stories.

THE chins of the political scribes were slumped on their chests when a magical sentence jolted them back into semi-consciousness.

THE Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney is in good company in recognising the contraceptive needs for Irish girls (Irish Examiner, July 27).

Tommy Cooper has been voted Britain’s favourite funnyman of all time.

Former White House hopeful Senator John McCain is to address Trinity College students just days after his country has decided if it wants George W Bush or Senator John Kerry to be President.

EVEN in death, comic genius Spike Milligan has raised a laugh among his adoring fans.

Even in death, comic genius Spike Milligan has raised a laugh among his adoring fans.

A STAND-UP comedian who gatecrashes events dressed as Osama bin Laden was the man who burst into Prince William’s 21st birthday party, his father claimed today.

The cast of a new film about comic genius Peter Sellers was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival today.

The cast of a new film about comic genius Peter Sellers was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival today.

A FAMILY row over comedian Spike Milligan’s grave has degenerated into the sort of farce that the last of the Goons would have himself found hilarious.

Graham Norton is today celebrating picking up two gongs at the British Comedy Awards.

The Office and Phoenix Nights were set to battle it out today at the British Comedy Awards.

Spike Milligan's son claims he was excluded from the memorial service for his father because of family tensions.

Stars from the world of showbusiness turned out today to celebrate the life of comic genius Spike Milligan.

Fans of comic genius Spike Milligan gathered to pay their respects outside the church where a private family funeral service was held today.

Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan has paid tribute to comedian Spike Milligan who died at his Sussex home earlier today.

Comedian Spike Milligan has died in his home in Sussex, aged 83.